Behind-the-Scenes @ Saint Thomas Church with Exclusive Bell Tower Climb

With Lower Manhattan's population bursting at the seams by the 1860s, the parish of Saint Thomas Church decided to move north and build a new church in the Gothic style on Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street — at that time, a quiet and rural tract. Fast forward to today and the congregation's fourth church — built at that same location in 1913 — still stands. It's time to explore the historic halls, rooms, and tower of one of New York's most notable churches in a way few others have ever before.

Join New York Adventure Club for an exclusive tour and bell tower climb at Saint Thomas Church, a century-old church on Fifth Avenue built in the French High Gothic style and designed by the architectural firm of Cram, Goodhue, and Ferguson.

Led by a Saint Thomas Church tour guide, our special experience throughout the historic church will include:

• The history and story of Saint Thomas Church, from why the first church was built so far uptown in the 1820s to how their famed Choir of Men and Boys got its start
• A discussion around the most historic elements in the church including the magnificent 80-foot high reredos, one of the largest in the world
• Special access through various historic spaces and chambers in the church that are usually not accessible to the public
• An exclusive trip up the church’s historic bell tower for unique vantage points of the main sanctuary, church bells room, and attic above the nave — a total of nearly 95 feet

Click here to see pictures from one of our last visits to Saint Thomas Church.

See you there!

*If you plan on participating in the bell tower climb in the second half of the tour, please bring water and wear a comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking and stair climbing

**Please note that the spiral stairwells up the bell tower are quite narrow, and can be uncomfortable for those with claustrophobia — if you choose to not ascend the church stairs, you may wait on the ground floor for the group to return

***All guests will be required to a sign a general liability waiver before the tour begins

Testimonials

"Visited places the public never sees and was so interesting to see all the work that goes into preparing a service from the music, the vestments and live stream technology" -Charles

"Very knowledgeable, pleasant guide who presented a vast amount of information in a very clear and conversant way. He was obviously very interested in the all facets of the church’s history. I like that he had us all introduce ourselves at the start of the tour and took time for questions at the end. Seeing the boys’ choir room, vestment room, and the bells were the highlights for me." -Susan

"The climbing to the bell tower - then climbing to the roof top and the vestment room was a like a visit to a museum" -Joan

"Knowledgeable guide, small group, indepth passage to important places." -Greta

"I love seeing the altar and choir stalls." -Edward

"The tour guide was very knowledgeable." -Lucien

"Our guide was wonderful, gave us so much information, & could not have done more to make the tour interesting." -Mary

"Seeing how the church was linked to the past and present in the decorative touches. The tour guide explanations of how and where various items in the church came from." -Brent

"Very informative and the group leader was so knowledgeable and nice." -Wendy

"Tour guide knowledgeable and explained things very well." -Deborah

"In depth detail and private viewing of areas not open to general public." -Wendy A.

" Very interesting and informative, well organized. It was a pleasure. Thank you" -Irina

" William is a great tour guide. I learned so much about St. Thomas and had a fun time while doing it. There was a great pace and climbing to the roof and seeing the bells was very interesting." -Hannalise

" Guide has such a passion for St. Thomas Church. This is always (along w/ being able to hear the guide) the most important ingredient in an excellent tour. And when he (occasionally) did not know something, he did not try to fake it, but said that he would look it up." -Leigh

" I learned so much about St. Thomas Church." -John

" Fantastic guide. Great AC ambassador." -Ronald

" Knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. Great access to hidden places!" -Theodore

" Content regarding the organs was outstanding. The secrets included grand things such as the bells and small things like individual carvings. I liked the guide, the other tourists, the content and is delivery. The pace kept a good clip even up the 225 steps to the bell chamber at the top of the tower. Whew! Loved it. Bill Hearst knows his stuff and presents it superbly. He’s a natural at it. Does the tour efficiently. Friendly personality that helps make it enjoyable as well as engaging." -Craig

" Enjoyed seeing parts of the church off limits to the general public, including the tower" -Moriah

" Excellent content, awesome church, very cool getting access to the tower and other parts of the church. Seriously, excellent tour, great guide(s)." -Scott

"Outstanding guide, very knowledgable and highly motivated" -Klaus-Peter

"Very knowledgeable and kind guide with a brilliant sense of humor! Loved every minute!" -Ella

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Categories: In-Person, Houses of Worship

Host or Publisher New York Adventure Club